Windows 7 Infection Rate Lower Than Windows XP
Newer is better.
A newer Windows is a safer Windows, as Microsoft proved with its internal security findings comparing its three most recent versions of its OS family.
Windows XP SP2 suffered a quarterly infection rate of 19.3 computers per thousand. SP3 improved things to 15.9 per thousand.
Windows Vista improved upon those numbers significantly. Windows Vista SP1 had 9.8 infections per thousand, while SP2 hit 7.5. The 64-bit versions of the OS did even better at 6.6 and 5.3, respectively.
Windows 7 was the best of all with the 32-bit version having only a 3.8 infection rate, and the 64-bit improving to 2.5 per thousand.
Microsoft offered a couple reasons why the 64-bit versions were a bit more hardy against infection:
“One reason may be that 64-bit versions of Windows still appeal to a more technically savvy audience than their 32-bit counterparts,” says Microsoft. “Kernel Patch Protection (KPP), a feature of 64-bit versions of Windows that protects the kernel from unauthorized modification, may also contribute to the discrepancy by preventing certain types of malware from operating.”
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Perhaps initially this was true but with the cost of RAM dropping so low most new computers are being stuffed with more and more RAM requiring OEM's to use 64bit OS version to access the full use from factory. The end user doesn't really know the difference since the majority of programs by now have been ported to 64bit and no longer a hassle.
( OMG MY machine is infected by a bazillion different viruses, windows 7 antivirus 2011 says so, better click here to scan and remove....what how much $59.99 to purchase full protection, umm why can I not get to any website...where has my Paid for McAfee GONE!)
I don't complain, keeps me in a job!
I don't claim to know one way or the other. I'm just pointing out that these results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Of course XP has 4x the infection rate of W7, it's been in the wild 4x longer. This is a logical Fail.
'Quarterly' information from 2010 represented in this fashion is very misleading. An XP computer may have been infected years ago and was not discovered until recently.
I call "Scare Tactics" by MS to further adoption of W7 by the uneducated consumer (who is otherwise quite happy with their XP computer).
2 - Stop surfing for dodgy pron/illegal wares/etc
3 - Automcatically stay away from the mouse button when a page screams, "Your pc is infected, click this really obvious box to clean"
muh.
Oh, also change the default pop-up blocker from medium to HIGH!
That's because hardly anyone was using Vista. LOL
Out of all the people I know, including the 250+ people in this factory, NONE of them has an android tablet. Three have ipads and i have a W500. (UK)
Thanks
There isn't an OS in the world that can stop a virus if the user intentionally downloads a program labeled "OMG FREE IPOD AFTER INSTALL.exe" and clicks ok through all the security checks.
The majority of those programs happen to be for Window since that's where the low tech user base is.
In the end, of course, those that run old software on XP are going to be more vulnerable to viruses than those the run newer software on Windows 7.
Of course XP has 4x the infection rate of W7, it's been in the wild 4x longer. This is a logical Fail.
'Quarterly' information from 2010 represented in this fashion is very misleading. An XP computer may have been infected years ago and was not discovered until recently.
I call "Scare Tactics" by MS to further adoption of W7 by the uneducated consumer (who is otherwise quite happy with their XP computer).
Same thing they did with the SSD ad, how SSDs are less prown to data storage failing...when they drop their computers?
Otherwise Windows 7 has it's ups and downs. I would say upgrading is fine unless you're still running a computer with a CPU under 1.4GHz, and don't have at least 1gb of RAM. Even Windows Vista users that stuck with it are getting the better end now with SP2.
But, Microsoft has always done Scare tactics and they'll continue to do so, especially in getting the rest of Windows XP users to switch to Windows 7.